6. Programme Design and Approval

Centres or services wishing to either:

• develop a programme leading to a QQI award

Or

• Offer a programme that their centre/service is not currently validated for

may make a proposal to develop or request approval to deliver a programme by applying in the first instance to the Programme Approval Group (PAG). The PAG will assess whether the proposal is in accordance with CETB’s overall FET strategy and objectives, and make a recommendation to the Quality Assurance Steering Group for consideration.

Once the proposal for development has been approved by the Quality assurance Steering Group, if it is an application for validation approval the QA Office will progress the request through the appropriate mechanism, if it is a programme development proposal, development may proceed, supported by the QA Office, who will coordinate appropriate training for programme writers and evaluators, and ensure that it complies with the relevant criteria and policies. Upon completion, the programme is evaluated against a range of criteria, including QQI programme and validation policies. The PAG review the recommendations of the programme evaluators, and make a recommendation to the Quality Assurance Steering Group on whether or not to submit the programme for validation. 

A pilot for developing quality assured, centrally-devised assessments is currently underway across a number of subject areas and will form the basis for an approach to the development of assessment instruments when evaluated.

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For more information or queries relating to Quality Assurance, email quality.assurance@corketb.ie   © 2018 Cork Education and Training Board. All rights Reserved.